If You Want to Be a Writer Listen to Kevin Smith

Kevin Smith and the Note

He makes a great point not to let others define you or convince you that you don't have what it takes to follow your dreams or passion.

Finding Your Purpose - Ikigai

Here is a great essay on the why and how of making changes in life.

Before it's too late

Jon Voight - Master Performance in Return to Lonesome Dove

I just finished watching the 2 DVD set and if you love Westerns and already watched Lonesome Dove then you'll likely love this follow on series.

All of the acting is superb so it's hard for me to claim favorites.  Each actor played their part exceptionally and the settings and storyline will draw you in as a participant.

Of all the parts that I've seen John Voight  play I now believe this may be the culmination of a very long and successful career.  He is the character.  Between his facial expressions, his mannerisms, and well practiced accent for the part he left me wanting to be on that ranch just to ride on his side of the range war.  The whole series is an experience but I'll have to say that there is a reason the story had him as central and choosing Voight to play the part made it work.

He receives the National Medal of Arts for President Trump
He blasts Hollywood Liberals, Atheists, and Marxists.  You have to give him credit not only for his acting ability but for his willingness to speak out in defense of his beliefs.

Redford Retiring at 82

Redford Retires

He did play some great parts.  Fortunately we have film so those parts are indelible and like all actors before him there does come a time to walk away.

Canon Cameras - passing of an era

Canon - Out of Film Cameras

I've owned them and they were superb.  But we've all gone digital for most things and this is another indicator of how much has changed.

Is an English Degree Worthless?

Joe Bob - English Major Confesses

Joe Bob has a point and it is that you had better really like English and Literature if you take that course of study because the marketability of it is doubtful in this day and time.  You may end up in some writing profession or you might end up cleaning houses or serving coffee as a Barista.  Then of course there is always the gig economy where you'll be driving people around in your car for $10 and hour. 

I already had a profession if you want to call it that so for me it was simply do I want to new profession at my late age or should I enroll in something I enjoyed.  I chose enjoyment and though I haven't regretted it I do realize that the limitations of an English degree has a lot to do with the perceptions of the people doing the hiring.  So if you take the route of English your best bet is going to be self-employment whether it is in the English teaching or writing realm or you could end up having to take specific training to become fully employable.

In Remembrance Tom Wolfe

NYT on Tom Wolfe

I've loved his work since introduced to it in a literature class though I actually ran across it before that and never made the connection.  The Bonfire of the Vanities became a favorite movie for me because Hanks, Willis, Griffith, and Weaver are in it and of course the story is great.

Later, coming across all of his work I made an effort or should I say an education of reading everything he wrote.   When new books came out I'd read them and felt I understood his intent and learned something. 

The NYT article covers almost everything that can be said except maybe that even us lowly readers and not just the critics or major artists found his work exceptional.  Part of what made it so enjoyable is how it skewed so many of the pretentious and opened bare the truth through story and description that has limited much fiction now.

It's a sad day to know that an artist of such talent has left the stage.

Tom Wolfe, RIP